Z-804                 _______________________________________________

 

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1356

                        _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

 

By Representatives Raiter, Moyer, Bristow, Winsley, Patrick, Morris, Sayan, Rayburn, Prentice, Leonard, Rector, Basich, O'Brien, Locke, Nelson, May and Hine; by request of Governor Gardner

 

 

Read first time 1/20/89 and referred to Committee on Human Services.

 

 


AN ACT Relating to comprehensive mental health improvement; amending RCW 71.24.025, 71.24.035, 71.24.045, 71.05.010, 71.05.020, 71.05.120, 71.05.130, 71.05.200, 71.05.250, and 71.05.370; adding new sections to chapter 71.24 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 72.06 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that substantial progress has been made in the development of a community-based and consumer-focused system of mental health care.  The legislature also finds that deficiencies remain in the organization, clinical capacity and financing of community and institutional programs, and that these deficiencies impede further improvement.  Insufficient incentives and mechanisms exist to assure fiscal and programmatic coordination between institutional and community programs; fragmented funding hinders coordination of service delivery; involuntary treatment administration, residential, and outpatient programs require additional resources; provisions need to be made to authorize medication of involuntary committed persons over their objections in appropriate circumstances; and state institutional programs have limited capacity to treat persons exhibiting particularly difficult and complicated clinical syndromes.

          The legislature intends to improve the mental health system through enhanced support of county management authority, integration of program and fiscal responsibility, involvement of consumers and family advocates, and the creation of incentives to provide the least costly and most effective support and treatment for mentally ill persons.

          The goal of the legislature is to create fiscal and programmatic incentives to:

          (1) Assist county mental health authorities in making individuals with the most disabling mental illness their highest priority for service;

          (2) Provide the necessary community support and treatment services to enable these individuals to live in community settings whenever possible; and

          (3) Minimize the incidence of unnecessary hospital and institutional care.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.     County mental health authorities may apply for funding under this section to expand comprehensive community mental health services contingent upon reductions in state mental hospital bed utilization by adult nonoffender patients.

          (1) The secretary shall provide funds under this section to counties or combinations of counties to be used to expand comprehensive community mental health services.  The funds shall be made available prospectively following approval by the secretary of a plan submitted by the county or combination of counties for the utilization of these funds.  Plans shall recognize the special needs of underserved populations, including minorities, children, the elderly, disabled, and low-income persons.  The plan shall include a commitment for a reduction of the number of state hospital bed days utilized by the county or combination of counties and shall ensure the appropriate use of involuntary treatment resources.  If a county or combination of counties fails to meet the bed-day reduction commitment, it shall pay for the utilization of bed days in state mental hospitals on a per-bed-day basis for those days above the reduction to which the county or combination of counties committed.  The payment required shall be equal to the average cost, as established by the department, of a bed day in the state hospitals for adult nonoffender patients:  PROVIDED, That funds made available for application in the 1989-91 biennium under this section shall be proportional to each county's adult nonoffender bed-day utilization at the state mental health facilities.  If a county does not apply for some or all of its proportion of the funds within deadlines set by the department, available funds shall be redistributed to the participating counties.  The secretary shall evaluate the effect of this funding on state facility utilization and the expansion of comprehensive community mental health services.  The secretary shall report the findings of this evaluation to the 1991 session of the legislature and biennially thereafter.

          (2) Beginning July 1, 1993, the secretary of the department of social and health services shall establish bed-day allotments for all counties based on available funding for state mental hospitals.  Counties shall reimburse the state mental hospitals on a per-bed-day basis for utilization above allotted levels; except that counties with past utilization below one thousand bed days per year shall be assessed for excess utilization beginning at one hundred fifty percent of past utilization and counties with past utilization rates below three thousand bed days per year shall be assessed beginning at one hundred twenty-five percent of past utilization.

          The plan for mandatory bed allotments shall be developed in conjunction with counties, providers, consumers, and family advocates and shall include recommendations for changes in state financing of county mental health programs and recommendations for statutory change.  Mandatory bed allotments are not enforceable unless state community mental health services funding remains at or above the level appropriated in the 1989-91 biennium.

          (3) In consultation with county mental health authorities, mental health providers, consumers, and advocates, the secretary shall adopt regulations under chapter 34.05 RCW necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter, including but not limited to, determination of county residency as it affects program and fiscal responsibility for the support and treatment of mentally ill persons under this chapter, the establishment of bed-day utilization baselines and the establishment of bed-day reimbursement rates.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.     The secretary, in consultation with county mental health authorities, mental health providers, consumers and advocates, shall develop a plan to transfer those resources supporting the community care and treatment of mentally ill persons currently administered by the department of social and health services to the administrative control of the county authority.  The secretary shall submit the plan together with a schedule of implementation to the 1990 session of the legislature.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.     The secretary of the department of social and health services may improve patient care for persons presenting particularly difficult and complicated clinical syndromes in mental health facilities by enhancing collaboration between mental health facilities and the professional training programs of the state universities.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, the secretary may enter into agreements with state universities for staffing and implementing improved patient care programs contemplated by this section.

 

        Sec. 5.  Section 3, chapter 204, Laws of 1982 as amended by section 2, chapter 274, Laws of 1986 and RCW 71.24.025 are each amended to read as follows:

          Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

          (1) "Acutely mentally ill" means a condition which is limited to a short-term severe crisis episode of:

          (a) A mental disorder as defined in RCW 71.05.020(2) or, in the case of a child, as defined in RCW 71.34.020(12);

          (b) Being gravely disabled as defined in RCW 71.05.020(1) or, in the case of a child, as defined in RCW 71.34.020(8); or

          (c) Presenting a likelihood of serious harm as defined in RCW 71.05.020(3) or, in the case of a child, as defined in RCW 71.34.020(11).

          (2) "Available resources" means those funds which shall be appropriated under this chapter by the legislature during any biennium for the purpose of providing community mental health programs under RCW 71.24.045.

          (3) "Licensed service provider" means an entity licensed by the department according to state minimum standards or individuals licensed under chapter 18.71, 18.83, or 18.88 RCW.

          (4) "Child" means a person under the age of eighteen years.

          (5) "Chronically mentally ill person" means a child or adult who has a mental disorder, in the case of a child as defined by chapter 71.34 RCW, and meets at least one of the following criteria:

          (a) Has undergone two or more episodes of hospital care for a mental disorder within the preceding two years or, in the case of a child, has been placed by the department or its designee two or more times outside of the home, where the placements are related to a mental disorder, as defined in chapter 71.34 RCW, and where the placements  progress toward a more restrictive setting.  Placements by the department include but are not limited to placements by child protective services and child welfare services;

          (b) Has experienced a continuous psychiatric hospitalization or residential treatment exceeding six months' duration within the preceding year;

          (c) Has been unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any mental disorder which has lasted for a continuous period of not less than twelve months.  "Substantial gainful activity"  shall be defined by the department by rule consistent with Public Law 92-603, as amended, and shall include school attendance in the case of a child; or

          (d) In the case of a child, has been subjected to continual distress as indicated by repeated physical or sexual abuse or neglect.

           (6) "Community mental health program" means all mental health services established by a county authority.

           (7) "County authority" means the board of county commissioners, county council, or county executive having authority to establish a community mental health program, or two or more of the county authorities specified in this subsection which have entered into an agreement to provide a community mental health program.

           (8) "Department" means the department of social and health services.

           (9) "Mental health services" means community services pursuant to RCW 71.24.035(5)(b) and other services provided by the state for the mentally ill.

           (10) "Mentally ill persons" and "the mentally ill" mean persons and conditions defined in subsections (1), (5), and (12) of this section.

           (11) "Residential services" means a ((facility or distinct part thereof which provides food, clothing, and shelter, and may include day treatment services as defined in RCW 71.24.045, for acutely mentally ill, chronically mentally ill, or seriously disturbed persons as defined in this section.  Such facilities include, but are not limited to, congregate care facilities providing mental health client services as stipulated by contract with the department beginning January 1, 1982)) facility-based program or a program of supportive community living for acutely mentally ill, chronically mentally ill, or seriously disturbed persons, as defined in this section.

           (12) "Seriously disturbed person" means a person who:

          (a) Is gravely disabled or presents a likelihood of serious harm to himself or others as a result of a mental disorder as defined in chapter 71.05 RCW;

          (b) Has been on conditional release status at some time during the preceding two years from an evaluation and treatment facility or a state mental health hospital;

          (c) Has a mental disorder which causes major impairment in several areas of daily living;

          (d) Exhibits suicidal preoccupation or attempts; or

          (e) Is a child diagnosed by a mental health professional, as defined in RCW 71.05.020, as experiencing a mental disorder which is clearly interfering with the child's functioning in family or school or with peers or is clearly interfering with the child's personality development and learning.

           (13) "Secretary" means the secretary of social and health services.

           (14) "State minimum standards" means:  (a) Minimum requirements for management and delivery of mental health services as established by departmental rules and necessary to implement this chapter, including but not limited to county administration, licensing service providers, information, accountability, contracts, and services; and  (b) minimum service requirements for licensed service providers for the provision of mental health services as established by departmental rules pursuant to chapter ((34.04)) 34.05 RCW as necessary to implement this chapter, including, but not limited to:  Qualifications for staff providing services directly to mentally ill persons; the intended result of each service for those priority groups identified in RCW 71.24.035(5)(b); and the rights and responsibilities of persons receiving mental health services pursuant to this chapter.

 

        Sec. 6.  Section 4, chapter 204, Laws of 1982 as last amended by section 1, chapter 105, Laws of 1987 and RCW 71.24.035 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) The department is designated as the state mental health authority.

          (2) The secretary may provide for public, client, and licensed service provider participation in developing the state mental health program.

          (3) The secretary shall provide for participation in developing the state mental health program for children by including children's representatives on any committee established to provide oversight to the state mental health program.

          (4) The secretary shall be designated as the county authority if a county fails to meet state minimum standards or refuses to exercise responsibilities under RCW 71.24.045.

          (5) The secretary shall:

          (a) Develop a biennial state mental health program that incorporates county biennial needs assessments and county mental health service plans and state services for mentally ill adults and children.  The secretary may also develop a six-year state mental health plan;

          (b) Assure that any county community mental health program provides access to treatment for the county's residents in the following order of priority:   (i) The acutely mentally ill; (ii) the chronically mentally ill; and (iii) the seriously disturbed.  Such programs shall provide:

          (A) Outpatient services;

          (B) Emergency care services for twenty-four hours per day;

          (C) Day treatment for mentally ill persons which includes training in basic living and social skills, supported work, vocational rehabilitation, and day activities.  Such services may include therapeutic treatment.  In the case of a child, day treatment includes age-appropriate basic living and social skills, educational and prevocational services, day activities, and therapeutic treatment;

          (D) Screening for patients being considered for admission to state mental health facilities to determine the appropriateness of admission;

          (E) Consultation and education services; ((and))

          (F) Community support services for acutely and chronically mentally ill persons which include:  (I) Discharge planning for clients leaving state mental hospitals, other acute care inpatient facilities, inpatient psychiatric facilities for persons under twenty-one years of age, and other children's mental health residential treatment facilities; (II) sufficient contacts with clients, families, schools, or significant others to provide for an effective individual treatment program of community maintenance; and (III) medication monitoring((.));

          (G) Residential services; and

          (H) Consumer and family self-help groups;

          (c) Develop and promulgate rules establishing state minimum standards for the management and delivery of mental health services including, but not limited to:

          (i) Licensed service providers;

          (ii) County administration;

          (iii) Information required to assure accountability of services delivered to the mentally ill; and

          (iv) ((Residential and)) Inpatient services, if a county chooses to provide such optional services;

          (d) Assure coordination of services consistent with state minimum standards for individuals who are released from a state hospital into the community to assure a continuum of care;

          (e) Assure that the special needs of minorities, the elderly, disabled, and low-income persons are met within the priorities established in ((subsection (5)))(b) of this subsection;

          (f) Establish a standard contract or contracts, consistent with state minimum standards, which shall be used by the counties;

          (g) Establish, to the extent possible, a standardized auditing procedure which minimizes paperwork requirements of county authorities and licensed service providers;

          (h) Develop and maintain an information system to be used by the state and counties which shall include a tracking method which allows the department to identify  mental health clients' participation in any mental health service or public program.  The information system shall not include individual patient's case history files.  Confidentiality of client information and records shall be maintained as provided in RCW 71.05.390, 71.05.400, 71.05.410, 71.05.420, 71.05.430, and 71.05.440;

          (i) License service providers who meet state minimum standards;

          (j) Establish criteria to evaluate the performance of counties in administering mental health programs as established under this chapter.  Evaluation of community mental health services shall include all categories of illnesses treated, all types of treatment given, the number of people treated, and costs related thereto; and

          (k) Prior to September 1, 1982, adopt such rules as are necessary to implement this chapter pursuant to chapter ((34.04)) 34.05 RCW:  PROVIDED, That such rules shall be submitted to the appropriate committees of the legislature for review and comment prior to adoption.

          (6) The secretary shall use available resources appropriated specifically for community mental health programs only for programs under RCW 71.24.045.

          (7) (a) The department shall establish a distribution formula that reflects county needs assessments based on the number of persons who are acutely mentally ill, chronically mentally ill, and seriously disturbed as defined in chapter 71.24 RCW.  The formula shall take into consideration the impact on counties of demographic factors in counties which result in concentrations of priority populations as defined in chapter 71.24 RCW.  These factors shall include the population concentrations resulting from commitments under the involuntary treatment act, chapter 71.05 RCW, to state psychiatric hospitals, as well as concentration in urban areas, at border crossings at state boundaries, and other significant demographic factors.

          (b) The department shall submit a proposed distribution formula in accordance with this section to the ways and means and human services and corrections committees of the senate and to the ways and means and human services committees of the house of representatives by January 1, 1988.  The formula shall also include a projection of the funding allocations that will result for each county, which specifies allocations according to priority populations, including the allocation for services to children.

 

        Sec. 7.  Section 5, chapter 204, Laws of 1982 as amended by section 5, chapter 274, Laws of 1986 and RCW 71.24.045 are each amended to read as follows:

          The county authority shall:

          (1) Submit biennial needs assessments beginning January 1, 1983, and mental health service plans which incorporate all services provided for by the county authority consistent with state minimum standards and which provide access to treatment for the county's residents who are acutely mentally ill, chronically mentally ill, or seriously disturbed.  The county program shall provide:

          (a) Outpatient services;

          (b) Emergency care services for twenty-four hours per day;

          (c) Day treatment for mentally ill persons which includes training in basic living and social skills, supported work, vocational rehabilitation, and day activities.  Such services may include therapeutic treatment.  In the case of a child, day treatment includes age-appropriate basic living and social skills, educational and prevocational services, day activities, and therapeutic treatment;

          (d) Screening for patients being considered for admission to state mental health facilities to determine appropriateness of admission;

          (e) Consultation and education services;

          (f) ((Residential and)) Inpatient services, if the county chooses to provide such optional services; ((and))

          (g) Community support services for acutely and chronically mentally ill persons which include:  (i) Discharge planning for clients leaving state mental hospitals, other acute care inpatient facilities, inpatient psychiatric facilities for persons under twenty-one years of age, and other children's mental health residential treatment facilities; (ii) sufficient contacts with clients, schools, families, or significant others to provide for an effective individual treatment program of community maintenance; and (iii) medication monitoring;

          (h) Residential services; and

          (i) Consumer and family self-help groups.

          The county shall develop the biennial needs assessment based on clients to be served, services to be provided, and the cost of those services, and may include input from the public, clients, and licensed service providers.  Each county authority may appoint a county mental health advisory board which shall review and provide comments on plans and policies developed by the county authority under this chapter.  The composition of the board shall be broadly representative of the demographic character of the county and the mentally ill persons served therein.  Length of terms of board members shall be determined by the county authority;

          (2) Contract as needed with licensed service providers. The county authority may, in the absence of a licensed service provider entity, become a licensed service provider entity pursuant to minimum standards required for licensing by the department for the purpose of providing services not available from licensed service providers;

          (3) Operate as a licensed service provider if it deems that doing so is more efficient and cost effective than contracting for services.  When doing so, the county authority shall comply with rules promulgated by the secretary that shall provide measurements to determine when a county provided service is more efficient and cost effective.  Whenever a county authority chooses to operate as a licensed service provider, the secretary shall act as the county authority for that service.

          (4) Monitor and perform biennial fiscal audits of licensed service providers who have contracted with the county to provide services required by this chapter.  The monitoring and audits shall be performed by means of a formal process which insures that the licensed service providers and professionals designated in this subsection meet the terms of their contracts, including the minimum standards of management and service delivery as established by the department;

          (5) Assure that the special needs of minorities, the elderly, disabled, and low-income persons are met within the priorities established in RCW 71.24.035(5)(b);

          (6) Maintain patient tracking information in a central location for the chronically mentally ill;

          (7) Use not more than two percent of state-appropriated community mental health funds, which shall not include federal funds, to administer community mental health programs under RCW 71.24.155:  PROVIDED, That county  authorities serving a county or combination of counties whose population is equal to or greater than that of a county of the first class may be entitled to sufficient state-appropriated community mental health funds to employ up to one full-time employee or the equivalent thereof in addition to the two percent limit established in this subsection when such employee is providing staff services to a county mental health advisory board:  PROVIDED FURTHER, That county authorities participating in the reduction of state hospital utilization as provided for in section 2 of this act may use not more than five percent of state-appropriated community mental health funds, which shall not include federal funds, to administer community mental health programs under this chapter.  If counties do not reach agreed upon reduction goals, not more than three percent of state-appropriated community mental health funds may be used for administration;

          (8) Coordinate services for individuals who have received services through the community mental health system and who become patients at a state mental hospital.

 

        Sec. 8.  Section 6, chapter 142, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. and RCw 71.05.010 are each amended to read as follows:

          The provisions of this chapter are intended by the legislature:

          (1) To end inappropriate, indefinite commitment of mentally disordered persons and to eliminate legal disabilities that arise from such commitment;

          (2) To provide prompt evaluation and short term treatment of persons with serious mental disorders;

          (3) To safeguard individual rights;

          (4) To provide continuity of care for persons with serious mental disorders;

          (5) To encourage the full use of all existing agencies, professional personnel, and public funds to prevent duplication of services and unnecessary expenditures;

          (6) To encourage, whenever appropriate, that services be provided within the community;

          (7) To protect the public safety.

 

        Sec. 9.  Section 7, chapter 142, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. as amended by section 5, chapter 215, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 71.05.020 are each amended to read as follows:

          For the purposes of this chapter:

          (1) "Gravely disabled" means a condition in which a person, as a result of a mental disorder:  (a) Is in danger of serious physical harm resulting from a failure to provide for his essential human needs of health or safety, or (b) manifests  severe deterioration in routine functioning evidenced by repeated and escalating loss of cognitive or volitional control over his or her actions and is not receiving such care as is essential for his or her health or safety;

          (2) "Mental disorder" means any organic, mental, or emotional impairment which has substantial adverse effects on an individual's cognitive or volitional functions;

          (3) "Likelihood of serious harm" means either:  (a) A substantial risk that physical harm will be inflicted by an individual upon his or her own person, as evidenced by threats or attempts to commit suicide or inflict physical harm on one's self, (b) a substantial risk that physical harm will be inflicted by an individual upon another, as evidenced by behavior which has caused such harm or which places another person or persons in reasonable fear of sustaining such harm, or (c) a substantial risk that physical harm will be inflicted by an individual upon the property of others, as evidenced by behavior which has caused substantial loss or damage to the property of others;

          (4) "Peace officer" means a law enforcement official of a public agency or governmental unit, and includes persons specifically given peace officer powers by any state law, local ordinance, or judicial order of appointment;

          (5) "Judicial commitment" means a commitment by a court pursuant to the provisions of this chapter;

          (6) "Public agency" means any evaluation and treatment facility or institution, hospital, or sanitarium which is conducted for, or includes a department or ward conducted for, the care and treatment of persons who are mentally ill or deranged, if the agency is operated directly by, federal, state, county, or municipal government, or a combination of such governments;

          (7) "Private agency" means any person, partnership, corporation, or association not defined as a public agency, whether or not financed in whole or in part by public funds, which constitutes an evaluation and treatment facility or private institution, hospital, or sanitarium, which is conducted for, or includes a department or ward conducted for the care and treatment of persons who are mentally ill;

          (8) "Attending staff" means any person on the staff of a public or private agency having responsibility for the care and treatment of a patient;

          (9) "Department" means the department of social and health services of the state of Washington;

          (10) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of social and health services, or his designee;

          (11) "Mental health professional" means a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse, or social worker, and such other mental health professionals as may be defined by rules and regulations adopted by the secretary pursuant to the provisions of this chapter;

          (12) "Professional person" shall mean a mental health professional, as above defined, and shall also mean a physician, registered nurse, and such others as may be defined by rules and regulations adopted by the secretary pursuant to the provisions of this chapter;

          (13) "Psychiatrist" means a person having a license as a physician and surgeon in this state who has in addition completed three years of graduate training in psychiatry in a program approved by the American medical association or the American osteopathic association;

          (14) "Psychologist" means a person who has been licensed as a psychologist pursuant to chapter 18.83 RCW;

          (15) "Social worker" means a person with a master's or further advanced degree from an accredited school of social work or a degree from a graduate school deemed equivalent under rules and regulations adopted by the secretary;

          (16) "Evaluation and treatment facility" means any facility which can provide directly, or by direct arrangement with other public or private agencies, emergency evaluation and treatment, outpatient care, and short term inpatient care to persons suffering from a mental disorder, and which is certified as such by the department of social and health services:  PROVIDED, That a physically separate and separately operated portion of a state hospital may be designated as an evaluation and treatment facility:  PROVIDED FURTHER, That a facility which is part of, or operated by, the department of social and health services or any federal agency will not require certification:  AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That no correctional institution or facility, or jail, shall be an evaluation and treatment facility within the meaning of this chapter;

          (17) "Antipsychotic medications," also referred to as "neuroleptics," means that class of drugs primarily used to treat serious manifestations of mental illness associated with thought disorders and currently includes phenothiazines, thioxanthenes, butyrophenone, dihydroindolone, and dibenzoxazipine.

 

        Sec. 10.  Section 17, chapter 142, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. as last amended by section 301, chapter 212, Laws of 1987 and RCW 71.05.120 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) No officer of a public or private agency, nor the superintendent, professional person in charge, his or her professional designee, or attending staff of any such agency, nor any public official performing functions necessary to the administration of this chapter, nor peace officer responsible for detaining a person pursuant to this chapter, nor any county designated mental health professional, nor the state, a unit of local government, or an evaluation and treatment facility shall be civilly or criminally liable for performing duties pursuant to this chapter with regard to the decision of whether to admit, release, administer antipsychotic medications on an emergency basis, or detain a person for evaluation and treatment:  PROVIDED, That such duties were performed in good faith and without gross negligence.

          (2) This section does not relieve a person from giving the required notices under RCW 71.05.330(2) or 71.05.340(1)(b), or the duty to warn or to take reasonable precautions to provide protection from violent behavior where the patient has communicated an actual threat of physical violence against a reasonably identifiable victim or victims.  The duty to warn or to take reasonable precautions to provide protection from violent behavior is discharged if reasonable efforts are made to communicate the threat to the victim or victims and to law enforcement personnel.

 

        Sec. 11.  Section 18, chapter 142, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. as amended by section 8, chapter 215, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 71.05.130 are each amended to read as follows:

          In any judicial proceeding for involuntary commitment or detention, or administration of antipsychotic medication, or in any proceeding challenging such commitment or detention, or administration of antipsychotic medication, the prosecuting attorney for the county in which the proceeding was initiated shall represent the individuals or agencies petitioning for commitment or detention or administration of antipsychotic medication and shall defend all challenges to such commitment or detention or administration of antipsychotic medication:  PROVIDED, That after January 1, 1980, the attorney general shall represent and provide legal services and advice to state hospitals or institutions with regard to all provisions of and proceedings under this chapter except in proceedings initiated by such hospitals and institutions seeking fourteen day detention or petitions for authority to administer antipsychotic medication which were filed contemporaneously with the petition for fourteen-day detention.

 

        Sec. 12.  Section 25, chapter 142, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. as amended by section 13, chapter 145, Laws of 1974 ex. sess. and RCW 71.05.200 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) Whenever any person is detained for evaluation and treatment pursuant to this chapter, both ((he)) the person and, if possible, a responsible member of his or her immediate family, guardian, or conservator, if any, shall be advised as soon as possible in writing or orally, by the officer or person taking him or her into custody or by personnel of the evaluation and treatment facility where ((he)) the person is detained that unless ((he)) the person is released or voluntarily admits himself or herself for treatment within seventy-two hours of the initial detention:

          (a) That a  judicial hearing in a superior court, either by a judge or court commissioner thereof, shall be held not more than seventy-two hours after the initial detention to determine whether there is probable cause to detain ((him)) the person after the seventy-two hours have expired for up to an additional fourteen days without further automatic hearing for the reason that ((he)) the person is a mentally ill person whose mental disorder presents a likelihood of serious harm to others or himself or herself or that ((he)) the person is gravely disabled;

          (b) That ((he)) the person has a right to communicate immediately with an attorney; ((he)) has a right to have an attorney appointed to represent him or her before and at the probable cause hearing if he or she is indigent; and ((he)) has the right to be told the name and address of the attorney the mental health professional has designated pursuant to this chapter;

          (c) That ((he)) the person has the right to remain silent and that any statement he or she makes may be used against him or her;

          (d) That ((he)) the person has the right to present evidence and to cross-examine witnesses who testify against him or her at the probable cause hearing; and

          (e) That ((he)) the person has the right to refuse medication, including antipsychotic medication beginning twenty-four hours prior to the probable cause hearing.

          (2) When proceedings are initiated under RCW  71.05.150 (2), (3), or (4)(b), no later than twelve hours after such person is admitted to the evaluation and treatment facility the personnel of the evaluation and treatment facility or the designated mental health professional shall serve on such person a copy of the petition for initial detention and the name, business address, and phone number of the designated attorney and shall forthwith commence service of a copy of the petition for initial detention on said designated attorney.

          (3) The judicial hearing described in subsection (1) of this section is hereby authorized, and shall be held according to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section and rules promulgated by the supreme court.

 

        Sec. 13.  Section 30, chapter 142, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. as last amended by section 6, chapter 439, Laws of 1987 and RCW 71.05.250 are each amended to read as follows:

          At the probable cause hearing the detained person shall have the following rights in addition to the rights previously specified:

          (1) To present evidence on his or her behalf;

          (2) To cross-examine witnesses who testify against him or her;

          (3) To be proceeded against by the rules of evidence;

          (4) To remain silent;

          (5) To view and copy all petitions and reports in the court file.

          The physician-patient privilege or the psychologist-client privilege shall be deemed waived in proceedings under this chapter relating to the administration of antipsychotic medications.  As to other proceedings under this chapter, the privileges shall be waived when a court of competent jurisdiction in its discretion determines that such waiver is necessary to protect either the detained person or the public.

          The waiver of a privilege under this section is limited to records or testimony relevant to evaluation of the detained person for purposes of a proceeding under this chapter.  Upon motion by the detained person or on its own motion, the court shall examine a record or testimony sought by a petitioner to determine whether it is within the scope of the waiver.

          The record maker shall not be required to testify in order to introduce medical or psychological records of the detained person so long as the requirements of RCW 5.45.020 are met except that portions of the record which contains opinions as to the detained person's mental state must be deleted from such records unless the person making such conclusions is available for cross-examination.

 

        Sec. 14.  Section 42, chapter 142, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. as amended by section 26, chapter 145, Laws of 1974 ex. sess. and RCW 71.05.370 are each amended to read as follows:

          Insofar as danger to the individual or others is not created, each person involuntarily detained, treated in a less restrictive alternative course of treatment, or committed for treatment and evaluation pursuant to this chapter shall have, in addition to other rights not specifically withheld by law, the following rights, a list of which shall be prominently posted in all facilities, institutions, and hospitals providing such services:

          (1) To wear his or her own clothes and to keep and use his or her own personal possessions, except when deprivation of same is essential to protect the safety of the resident or other persons;

          (2) To keep and be allowed to spend a reasonable sum of his or her own money for canteen expenses and small purchases;

          (3) To have access to individual storage space for his or her private use;

          (4) To have visitors at reasonable times;

          (5) To have reasonable access to a telephone, both to make and receive confidential calls;

          (6) To have ready access to letter writing materials, including stamps, and to send and receive uncensored correspondence through the mails;

          (7) Not to consent to the performance of shock treatment, the administration of antipsychotic medications, or surgery, except emergency life-saving surgery, ((upon him,)) and not to have shock treatment, antipsychotic medications, or nonemergency surgery in such circumstance unless ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to ((a judicial hearing in which the person is present and represented by counsel, and the court shall appoint a psychiatrist, psychologist, or physician designated by such person or his counsel to testify on behalf of such person)) the following standards and procedures:

          (a) Shock treatment and the administration of antipsychotic medication shall not be ordered unless the petitioning party proves by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that there exists a compelling state interest that justifies overriding the patient's objection to shock treatment or the administration of antipsychotic medications, that the proposed treatment is necessary and effective, and that medically acceptable alternative forms of treatment are not available, have not been successful, or are not likely to be effective.

          (b) The court shall make specific findings of fact concerning:  (i) The existence of one or more compelling state interests; (ii) the necessity and effectiveness of the treatment; and (iii) the person's desires regarding the proposed treatment.  If the patient is unable to make a rational and informed decision about consenting to or refusing the proposed treatment, the court shall make a substituted judgment for the patient as if he or she were competent to make such a determination.

          (c) The person shall be present at any hearing on a request to administer shock treatment or antipsychotic medications filed pursuant to this subsection.  The person has the right:  (i) To be represented by an attorney; (ii) to present evidence; (iii) to cross-examine witnesses; (iv) to have the rules of evidence enforced; (v) to remain silent; (vi) to view and copy all petitions and reports in the court file; and (vii) to be given reasonable notice and an opportunity to prepare for the hearing.  The court may appoint a psychiatrist, psychologist, or physician to examine and testify on behalf of persons for whom an antipsychotic medication order is sought.  The court shall appoint a psychiatrist, psychologist, or physician designated by such person or the person's counsel to testify on behalf of the person in cases where an order for shock treatment is sought.

          (d) An order for the administration of antipsychotic medications entered following a hearing conducted pursuant to this section shall be effective for the period of the involuntary treatment order to which the person is subject at the time of the hearing and any immediately subsequent period during which the person is awaiting trial or hearing on a newly filed petition for involuntary treatment.  If a succeeding involuntary treatment order is entered by the court, a person who refuses to consent to the administration of antipsychotic medications shall be entitled to an evidentiary hearing in accordance with this chapter.

          (e) Antipsychotic medication may be administered to a nonconsenting person detained or committed pursuant to this chapter without a court order under the following circumstances:

           (i) A person presents an imminent likelihood of serious harm to himself or others;

          (ii) Medically acceptable alternatives to administration of antipsychotic medications are not available, have not been successful, or are not likely to be effective; and

          (iii) In the opinion of the physician with responsibility for treatment of the person, or his or her designee, the person's condition constitutes an emergency requiring the treatment be instituted before a judicial hearing as authorized pursuant to this section can be held.

          If antipsychotic medications are administered over a person's objections pursuant to this subsection, a petition for an order authorizing the administration of antipsychotic medications shall be filed on the next judicial day.  If deemed necessary by the physician with responsibility for the treatment of the person, administration of antipsychotic medications may continue until twenty-four hours before the hearing is held;          (8) To dispose of property and sign contracts unless such person has been adjudicated an incompetent in a court proceeding directed to that particular issue;

          (9) Not to have psychosurgery performed on him or her under any circumstances.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 15.    (1) Sections 1 through 3 of this act are each added to chapter 71.24 RCW;

          (2) Section 4 of this act is added to chapter 72.06 RCW.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 16.    This act shall not be construed as affecting any existing right acquired or liability or obligation incurred under the sections amended in this act or under any rule or order adopted under those sections, nor as affecting any proceeding instituted under those sections.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 17.    This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.